Education

Silicon Valley Latino and Black Students Lagging in Algebra

by Francesca Segre
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May 31, 2013 — 7:24 AM

Fewer than 25 percent of Latino and black students in Silicon Valley are completing eighth-grade algebra. That's far lower than their Asian and white peers, and a warning sign that Latino and black students are not on track for college.

Matt Hammer co-wrote the report for the group Innovate Public Schools. He says schools need to act on early signs that kids are not keeping up.

“A lot of districts know years before eighth grade that kids are far below basic or below basic on the state’s tests,” Hammer said. “So early in the child’s education, there ought to be serious support put into place.”

Hammer's study also found that low-income Latino kids tend to do better in small schools, where many parents actively participate at the school.